a day ago
Meet the North East dad and daughter duo saving lives on the job
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has praised a father and daughter who are volunteering side by side to help save lives in their community.
Andrew and Jade Park, who live in Seahouses, are trained community first responders (CFRs) with the NEAS, and deliver lifesaving care in the critical minutes before paramedics arrive.
Their work is being celebrated as part of National Volunteers' Week, which runs from June 2 to 8.
Mr Park was inspired to volunteer after seeing a post on Facebook shared by the widow of a respected CFR who had helped his family.
He said: "Having experienced the care of community first responders first hand, I was aware of the vital role they can play with early intervention, especially in a more rural community.
"Having witnessed a serious car accident a few months earlier, I wanted to be more helpful than I had felt in that situation.
"Also, if I could help to get the Seahouses kit operational again, it would be great for the community."
Since becoming a CFR, Mr Park has decided to change careers and will begin training as an apprentice ambulance support practitioner next month, with hopes of one day joining his daughter on shift.
He said: "I've had the opportunity to attend multiple calls with my daughter who is the other community first responder in Seahouses.
"It fills me with pride to watch her interact with the patients and crews that we meet."
Miss Park became a CFR after finishing sixth form, hoping to gain experience before applying to university.
She said: "Having just finished sixth form and going on to apply to university after a gap year, becoming a CFR fit in perfectly with my desire for more experience towards my course.
"On top of this, past experiences where a first responder had come into my home to help a family member has greatly influenced my choice.
"Seeing the importance of a CFR up close made me realise how I could positively impact someone's health and wellbeing.
"Being a volunteer within NEAS is something that I carry with great pride.
"Being able to give back to the community that you were brought up in is the most amazing feeling."
CFRs are trained volunteers who respond to 999 calls in their area, delivering immediate care such as CPR and defibrillation while ambulance crews are en route.
They are particularly vital in rural areas, where response times may be longer due to distance.
Paul Brolly, community resuscitation officer at NEAS, said: "Historically served by local volunteer responders, coastal areas have recently experienced a gap in CFR coverage.
"We recognised the need for volunteers in these areas, particularly given the county's rural nature and tourism levels, which are high especially in the summer.
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"Our service has worked proactively to reintroduce CFR volunteers, and the return of responders to Bamburgh and Seahouses in the shape of Andrew and Jade marks an important step in strengthening emergency response capabilities across Northumberland."
In 2024/25, NEAS CFRs responded to more than 1,850 patients across the service's 3,200-square-mile patch.
To find out more about becoming a community first responder, visit the NEAS website.
